Voters approve mayoral term extension, code of ethics changes in Springfield

Marta Mieze, Springfield News-Leader
Updated ·2 min read

Two Springfield City Charter changes were on the ballot Tuesday. With all precincts reporting, voters approved both the changes to the city's code of ethics and extending the mayoral term to four years.

The City Charter acts as the city’s constitution, and any changes to it require approval from voters. Both amendments were endorsed by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

The winning vote means Springfield's next elected mayor will serve a four-year term, rather than two, though the total term limit remains eight years. The next mayoral election is in April 2025, when Mayor Ken McClure will be termed out.

Some council members felt the extension would allow the mayor to focus more on long-term changes without constantly having to be in "campaign mode." Others felt two-year terms give citizens more power to change course when dissatisfied and also change the majority of the council every two years when half of the council seats are up for election.

Voters were split, but a slim majority opted for the longer terms. Of more than 15,800 votes cast, 53.5% were in approval.

Code of ethics changes

An amendment to simplify the city's code of ethics policy received stronger support, garnering more than three-quarters of the vote. At the core of the changes to Section 19.16 of the charter are the financial conflict of interest guidelines for city employees and leaders.

The main changes to how the charter was written include:

  • Addition of a provision that council shall have a code of ethics and review it at least every other year;

  • Removal of employees from the provision that any violation will result in a forfeiture of position. Forfeiture will still apply to council members, officers and board members. Instead, the charter draft includes flexibility when handling employee violation, noting they will be subject to disciplinary action that could still include termination;

  • The proposed language notes that a prior written advisory opinion from the city attorney that was relied upon in good faith in matters of financial interest is a defense for violations under the section.

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The guidelines still prohibit any financial interest in the business the city conducts. While Springfield City Council had more nuanced initial plans for revamping the code of ethics, this simplified version was presented to voters with the goal of protecting employees who are in positions without purchasing power but still have suffered negative consequences.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Mayoral term, code of ethics changes in Springfield bring results